When a robbery suspect is described and you locate a person who matches the description, which action is appropriate to verify identity?

• A. Interview the person
• B. Do a show up
• C. Issue a citation
• D. Write a report

Answer: (B)

When you’ve located someone who matches the robbery description, a show-up is the appropriate way to verify identity quickly. A show-up is a brief, one-on-one identification of the suspect by the witness, usually conducted in the field or near the scene. It’s valuable here because it allows an immediate yes-or-no determination when time is critical and you want to confirm whether this person is the described suspect without waiting for a formal lineup.

The key idea is to present the person to the witness in a non-coercive, prompt, and non-suggestive manner, so memory remains as accurate as possible. If the witness identifies the person, you can proceed with custody and the investigation; if not, you continue the inquiry. Other actions, like interviewing the person, issuing a citation, or writing a report, don’t verify the suspect’s identity in the same direct, rapid way.